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Welcome to our weekly e-gram! Read on to discover what’s happening in our church family this week and beyond.
Church News
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Image: Baptism of Christ, Piero della Francesca, c. 1448-50
SERMON PREVIEW
Sermon Title: “Into the Water, Into the Light”
Scripture: Matthew 3:13–17
In this season, just after Epiphany, we stand in the glow of a light that reveals who Christ is and who we are called to be. The story of Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:13-17 invites us to step into that light with fresh eyes. At the Jordan River, the heavens open, the Spirit descends, and a voice speaks words of identity and belonging: “This is my Son, the Beloved.” It is a moment of revelation, not only for Jesus, but for all who long to understand what it means to live as God’s beloved in a world hungry for renewal.
This Sunday, we will explore baptism not simply as a ritual of repentance, but as an archetypal act of transformation—an entry into the deep waters where God reshapes us. Scripture is full of stories where people pass through water and emerge changed: creation rising from the primordial deep, Israel stepping through the Red Sea into freedom, Joshua leading a new generation across the Jordan into promise. These ancient crossings echo in our own lives, reminding us that God still meets us in the waters of change. Join us as we reflect on what it means to enter the water as one thing and rise as something new, carrying the light of Epiphany into the year ahead. See you Sunday morning, in person or online.
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DISCIPLES WOMEN INVITATIONAll women are invited to attend the first Disciples Women meeting of 2026 on January 13 at 1:00 p.m. in the Conference Room. Come for Bible study and begin to plan for the year ahead!
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SERVING AT THE CO-OPWe need 10 volunteers to serve at the Co-op on Saturday January 24th from 10:00 to 11:30am. Please let Rod Baker know if you are available to help out.
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CAMPUS MINISTRY SUNDAYOn Sunday, January 25, we will welcome visitors from The Table, the campus ministry in Athens that Rev. Diane works with. Rev. Haley Lerner, a United Church of Christ minister, will preach that morning, and we hope to have a some campus ministry students join us for worship. Our new Regional Minister, Rev. Dr. Adam Harmon, will also join us for worship and lunch. Plan to join us for this special Sunday!
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SOUP LUNCHOn Sunday, January 25, the Congregational Care and Connect team will host a soup lunch after worship. This is a chance to enjoy delicious soup, meet our campus ministry visitors from Athens, and talk with our new Regional Minister, Rev. Dr. Adam Harmon. You can sign up to bring soup, crackers, corn bread, desserts, and other fixings in the gathering space beginning this Sunday.
This lunch will also kick off our Souper Bowl of Caring collection for the co-op. Between January 25 and February 8, you are invited to bring canned soups and crackers to help feed our neighbors who are hungry. You can leave all soup donations in the gathering space with other co-op donations.
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UPCOMING EVENTS IN JANUARY
Sunday, Jan. 11
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
Monday, Jan. 12
6:30 pm: Outreach Team meeting 0n Zoom
Tuesday, Jan. 13
1 pm: Disciples Women meeting at the church
Sunday, Jan. 18
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship
Tuesday, Jan. 20
6:30 pm: Let’s Eat! at the Diner at Webb Gin
Sunday, Jan. 25
9 am: Choir
10 am: Sunday school
11 am: Worship – Campus Ministry Sunday
12 pm: Soup Lunch
Check the calendar of events on our church website at https://lawrencevillechristianchurch.org/calendar/ to stay updated on what’s happening in our church community.
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THIS SUNDAY’S WORSHIP LEADERS
Greeter: Jeanie Morgan
Scripture: Elizabeth McElhanon
Communion Meditation: Libby Ballew
Elders: Libby Ballew and Brian Ballew
Deacons: Nancy Groves and Candace Richardson
Communion Preparation: Libby Ballew
If you are interested in serving as a worship leader or greeter, please contact Rev. Diane or Rev. Teresa.
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E-GRAM AND ANNOUNCEMENT GUIDELINES
Each week, our e-gram newsletter helps us stay connected, informed, and inspired. We welcome e-gram article submissions up to four weeks in advance. Please send your content by Tuesday at 5:00 PM via email to both Diane@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org and Teresa@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org. E-gram submissions can include ministry updates, event announcements, community celebrations or milestones, and prayer requests.
Announcements shared during worship are drawn primarily from the e-gram. If you have a time-sensitive update or urgent prayer request to share, please email it by Friday at 5:00 PM to the same email addresses as above. Thank you for helping us build a vibrant, informed, and spiritually grounded community.
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LECTIONARY SCRIPTURES FOR JANUARY 11 AND JANUARY 18
The Revised Common Lectionary is a three-year cycle of weekly readings used by many mainline Protestant churches in Canada and the United States. The lectionary readings will shape much of our preaching, and may be helpful in your own Bible study and devotional life.
January 11, 2026
- Isaiah 42:1-9
- Psalm 29
- Acts 10:34-43
- Matthew 3:13-17
January 18, 2026
- Isaiah 49:1-7
- Psalm 40:1-11
- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
- John 1:29-42
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ZOOM LINK FOR WORSHIP AND CHURCH MEETINGS
For Sunday worship and other online meetings, use this link:
https://zoom.us/j/6284633067?pwd=YzVMN0EwQUVrb0FRM1phVkZEUjZFQT09
For those who DIAL IN, Call (646) 558-8656
Zoom Meeting ID: 628 463 3067
Password: 1234
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SUPPORT THE LAWRENCEVILLE CO-OPThank you for your support of the Lawrenceville Co-op as they feed our neighbors in Lawrenceville and Dacula. Food donations are needed more than ever as we enter the winter months!
Co-op’s Most Needed Food Items
- Cereal
- Applesauce
- Shelf stable milk
- Canned tuna/chicken
- 12 count or 18 count egg cartons
Most Needed Personal Care Items
- Size 4 and up diapers
- Feminine pads
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WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH DISCIPLES AT THE REGIONAL AND GENERAL LEVELSKeep up with the latest news going on in our region and our general church. Click the links below to find the latest news within the Disciples.
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Each Monday at 6 pm, wherever you are and whatever way is comfortable for you, we pause and pray for our church. If you have conflicts with this time, whatever time is comfortable for you, pause and pray for your church. Below is the church’s prayer list you can use. You are welcome to make up your own prayer list as you pray.
Psalm 40:17: “I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.”
Celebrations
- Congratulations to Riley Ballew and Ryan Chimera, who are engaged to be married!
- Congratulations to Jeanie Morgan, whose grandson was featured on the cover of a Navy magazine
- Micah Baker’s birthday was January 6
Weekly Prayers
- For our co-ministers, Rev. Diane Bales and Rev. Teresa Bensch
- For our general and regional church, and for our new Regional Minister, Rev. Dr. Adam Harmon (who will visit our church on January 25)
- For our outreach plans, that we may spread God’s good news to our neighbors near and far
Immediate Needs (names in bold are newly added or updated)
- Jeanie Morgan (grieving the death of her high school best friend Nancy Benson Paige-Bell)
- Mary Jo Alvord (rehab)
- Nancy Welty (health challenges)
Ongoing Needs
- Our country and our world
- Our members and friends at home, including Mary Jo Alvord, Odessa Adams (hospice care), Gen Ashby, David Chamberlain, Bessie Kirby, Eva Krahwinkel, Neva Maffett, Ada Mullinax, Bill Phyfer, Bob Powell, and Jimmy Saturday
- Our family and friends with ongoing health challenges
- Family and friends of Hilda Morgan
- Howard and Joanne White (Bob Hanson’s neighbors)
- Ada Mullinax and her sister Linda Kellmann (health challenges)
- Brenda Sizemore (health challenges)
- Eva Krahwinkel and Neva Maffett (transitions and health concerns)
- McKenzie Harper (Elizabeth Sloan’s daughter; recovering from surgery)
- Nancy Moss (cancer; requests prayers)
- Suzy Santoro (Anna Harrison’s daughter)
- Peggy Edge (Anna Harrison’s sister, recovering from recent car accident)
- Maggie Harrison Copeland (Anna Harrison’s sister-in-law)
- Toby Severt (Anna Harrison’s daughter’s boyfriend)
If you have an update to the prayers and concerns, please let Rev. Diane know (diane@lawrencevillechristianchurch.org).
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That’s all we have for this week. Please pray for the church and everyone in it, that we continue to follow God’s plan as we share the Good News. God bless you all!
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